Spooling and winding machine.



A. F. BENTLEY.

SPOOL'ING AND WINDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1917.

Patented. Nov. 27, 1917/.

, snares IPQMTIQN, @IF HOPEDALE, MASSASI-IUSETTS, A GQIEtFOltAZLZON @E sroonrne arm warrants resonant.

tease-ea Specification of Letters'lPatent.

Patented at, rear.

Application filed Marchv M, 1917. Serial Ito. 15 3797.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it lmown that I, ALBERT F, BENTLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, county of Providence, and State of lthode Island, have invented an improvement in Spooling and Winding Machines, of which the following description, in connee tionwith the specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to machines for winding yarn upon spools or bobbins, and more particularly to the means for controlling the yarn and delivering it to the receiving spool or bobbin. lln machines of this general class, and of which the spooler is a type, the yarn is drawn from a source of supply by spools or bobbins mounted upon and rotated by spindles which may .be actuated from any suitable source of power. As the yarn is wound upon the receiving spools or bobbins, it is traversed lengthwise thereof to build up the load in substantially cylindrical layers and to this end it is common to interpose a traverse mechanism between the source of supply and the receiving spools or bobbins. The source of supply may consist of a series of holders of a character to support or hold a quantity of yarn, and in the spooler such holders are usually bobbins havin the yarn wound thereon by either the lling or warp wind. In either case, however, it

is the practice to support the source of supply and the receiving spools or bobbins in relatively fixed positions and cause the traverse mechanism to travel longitudinally of the receiving spools or bobbins between the two. The eflect of this is to yary both the speed and length of yarn between the source of supply and receiving spools or bobbins consequently cause lack of uniformity. in tension on the yarn during windin and undesirable character of the wound mass on the receiving spools or bobbins when complete. For instance, as the traverse mechanism of the spooler travels away from the source of supply or upwardly, it causes an increase in the speed of the yarn from the source of supply to the receiving spools or bobbins and also increases the length of the yarn between these points; while, as the traverse mechanism travels toward the source of supply or downwardly, the speed of the yarn passing from the-source of supaccompanying drawings, is a ply to the receiving spools or bobbins decreases, as also does between these points. These facts, and other conditions incident' to the comparatively high speed with which the yarn passes from the source of supply to the receiving spools or bobbins, produce much variation in the tension on the yarn and an undesirable character in the mass of yarn as finally wound and completed on the spools or bobbins.

An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists of means for maintaining a uniform tension on the yarn as it travels between the source of supply and the receiving spools or bobbins. -lln carrying this feature of the invention into efiect, the

source of yarn supply is caused to travel with the traverse mechanism, so that as the latter moves longitudinally of the'receiving spools or bobbins, the length of the yarn between the source of supply and receiving spools or bobbins remain substantially the same, and consequently the speed of the yarn is not materially changed during a complete travel of the traverse mechanism. Another characteristic of the invention in maintaining a proper uniformity of tension on the yarn during its traverse movements, consists of a tension device movable with the traverse mechanism and acting on the yarn between the source of-supply and receiving spools or bobbins.

The tension device is preferably mounted on orconnected with the traverse mechanism, and has threading means associated therewith, so that by manual movement of the said means into. one position the yarn.

may be readily'engaged' therewith and upon release of said means, the yarn will be automatically placedin operative relation with the tension device.

Various other features of the present invention, in addition to the above, will be hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows one good form of means for carrying the invention into practical effect, it being understood that the true. scope of the invention is 'defined by the claims.

In the drawings Q Figure 1 is a front elevation of part of a spooler or winding machine having the pres ent invention therein, only such POli'tlbl'lQjOf make clear the invention;

the length of the yarn or cops on which Fi 2 is a side elevation and part sec- .The machine frame may be of any usual or desired character suitable for supporting the operating parts, and. as shown comprises the end portions 1 connected by spindle rails 2 on wh1ch are mounted a series of spindles 3 having the whirls or pulleys 4 which may be driven by belts or bands 5 from any suitable sourceof power; Each of the spindles 3 is adapted to support a spool or bobbin 6 on which the yarn 1s to be wound in cylindrical layers extending from end to end of the spools.

In order that the yarn may be "directed to and wound upon the spools in the manner described, it is usual in machines of this general type to provide traverse mechanism for moving the yarn longitudinally of the bobbins or spools as it is being drawn from the source of supply and wound thereon. So far as the present invention is concerned, the traverse mechanlsm may be of any usual or desired type, and in the present instance of the invention is shown as comprising a lifter arm 7 mounted on the rock shaft 8' and under control of the lifter 9. Pivotally conneoted'at 10 to the lifter arm 7 is the bracket 11 which may be connected to the traverse of machines, the traverse rails 12 rails 12 and 13. The traverse rails 12 and 13 extend lengthwise of the machine opposite the receiving spools or bobbins 6, and in the present instance of the invention the traverse rails 12 and 13 are connected for movement with the bracket 11 by clamps, one member 14 of which engages the traverse rails 12,and 13 at one side thereof and the other member 15 engages the opposite sides of said traverse rails, the two members 14' and 15 being connected and held in clamping relation by means of a bolt 16, the constrnction being such that as the lifter arm 7 is raised and lowered as usual in this type I and 13 will be given a movement longitudinally of the receiving spools or bobbins 6. Mounted upon the traverse rail 12 are a series of yarn guides 17 "which may be of usual construc-' tion -for guiding the ya as it is drawn from the source of supply y the receiving spools and wound thereon. t

spools are rotated by be emp supply which is fixed relative to the receivmg spools'or bobbins, as is usual in this class of machines, the speed of the-yarn will vary between the source of supply and the rec eiving spools as the traverse mechanism traverses the yarn longitudinally of thespools. Under the conditions stated, not only will the speed of the yarn vary, but the length of the yarn between the source of supply and the receiving spools will also vary, thus causing a lack of uniformity in the tension of the yarn as it is wound upon the receiving spools and a consequent imperfection of the wound mass of yarn on the receiving sp'ools when they are completely wound.

I The present invention contemplates that the speed as wellas the length of the yarn between thesource of supply and the receiving spools or bobbins shall remain substantially constant during the movement of the traverse mechanism; and to this end the sourceof supply 1s given a movement with v I for the supply of yarn may be mounted. In invention, the

the presentmstance of the support 22 sustains a seriesof holdergs 23 on which is wound the yarn supply, the construction being such that as the traverse mechanism moves longitudinally of the recelvings ools or bobbins 6 to laythe yarn in cylin rical course upon the receiving spools orbobbins, the holders 23 are caused to similarly move, with the result that the speed of the yarn, as well as the length thereof between the holders and the receiving spools, remain substantially constant.

In the illustrated formof the invention the yarn supply is shown as furnished by the filling wind bobbins, from the end of which the yarn a is drawn as the receiving the spindles 3, but obviously the invention is not restricted in this res ect, and warp-wind bobbins might oyed as the source of supply, instead of the filling-wind bobbins as illustrated, all of which will be clearly evident to those skilled -in the art.

Asv the yarn is drawn from the source of supply and wound upon the receiving spools or bobbins, it is desirable that it be subjected to a suitable tension to insure uniformity in the mass of yarn wound upon the receiving spools or bobbins; and to this end the present invention contemplates a tension device movable with the traverse mechanism and interposed between thesource of supply and mas er the receiving spools or bobbins for acting upon the yarn as it is wound upon the receiving spools. In the present instance of the invention, each of the clamping members 14 has an outturned portion 24 for the support of astud or spindle 25 which may be secured in fixed position upon the outturned portion 24 by a cap 26 and securing bolt 27 the construction being such that the spindles 1o 25 will be held in fixed position for movement with the traverse mechanism, Secured upon each of the spindles 25 by suitable means such as the nut 28 is a tension drum 29 having a tortuous path for receiving the yarn a as it passes from the source of supply to the receiving spools. In the present instance of the invention this tortuous path is formed by means of a series of projections or fingers secured to the cylindrical surface of the drum and having outturned end por tions as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. These projections or fingers 30 and 31 may be secured to the cylindrical surface of the drum with their yarn engaging surface in stag gered relation as indicated in Fig. 4, and the end portions of said projections or fingers may be suitably deflected outwardly from each other so that as the yarn is carried 7 about the drum, in a manner to be presently described, it will be guided toward and into the tortuous path provided by the projections or fingers 30 and 31. In order that the ends of the projetions or fingers 30 and 31. may not offer an obstruction to the yarn 35,.as it is being threaded, and to prevent accidental catching of the yarn, the end portions 32 of these projections or fingers may be seated in suitable recesses 33 formed in flanges 34 provided at the sides of the drum 29. By manipulating the nut 28, the drum 29 may be adjusted upon its spindle 25 to I present a more or less number of projections or fingers 30, 31, for engagement with the yarn and thereby increase or decrease the amount of tension ofi'eredlto the yarn as it passes throughthe tortuous path provided about the drum.

Loosely mounted upon each of the spindles-25 is a threading and takeup ,device whereby the yarn a between the source of supply and the receiving spools may be laid upon the drum and thereafter be acted upon bythe take-up action of the device to maintainthe yarn under the desiredtension. lln the present instance of the invention, the threading and takeup device comprises/a member .35 loosely mounted upon the spindle 25 for movement relatively to the tension drum. One portion or arm 36 of the takeup and threading device has a yarn engaging member 37 extending opposite the surface of the drum. Theyarn-engaging member 37 has a free end 38 between which and the flange 34 of the drum, the .yarn may be passed,

and when engaged with the member 37, the

yarn will lead therefrom, substantially as indicated in Fig. 3. llhe takeup and threading device 35 is provided with means for normally maintaining the device in the position indicated in Fig. 3, but permitting it to yieldingly rotaterelatively to the drum. In the present instance of the invention an arm 39 extends outward from the hub portion of the member 35 and is provided with a pin 40 adapted to receive a series of weights 41; and means are provided for maintaining the weights inoperative position on the pin. A convenient form of such means consists of a spring arm 42, one end 43 of which is secured to the portion 39 of the takeup and threading device and the other end portion of which at 44 is adapted for movement over the end of the pin, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, and to be maintained in position in engagement with the pin by U An important feature oi the takeup and threading device consists in its adaptation to engage a bight of the yarn between the source of supply and the receiving spools and automatically lay it into the tortuous path about the drum. To this end the takeup and threading device 35 has an outwardly extending portion 46 provided with a handle or pin 47 by which the takeup and threading device maybe moved about the drum in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. 3. to carry the thread-engaging portion to the opposite side of the drum, viewing Fig. 3. When in this latter position, the yarn a leading from the source of supply to the receiving spools may be engaged under the free end 38 of the thread engaging portion 37 and then by releasing the handle or pin 47, the weights 41 will automatically turn the takeup and threading device in a contraclockwise direction, viewing Fig. 3, to restore the parts to normal position. In order that the manual manipulation of the takeup and threading device may not carry the weights 41 to the right of the vertical line passing through the axis of rotat1on of the takeup and threading" device, a stop pin 48 is provided which is adapted to be engaged by the portion 46 of the takeup and threading device when it is moved clockwise, to carry the yarn-engaging member 37 to the side of the drum for engagement with the yarn.

The weights 41 on the takeup and threading device serve, to equally maintain the de- I vice in its takeup or operative position as indicated in Fig. 3 during normal COIldltions, and yet permit ready adjustment of '5 the tension device to the varying characters of yarn that may be treated in the machine. when the takeup and threading device is moved to the right of the drum in Fig. 3, for engagement with the yarn a, and is then \released, the weights 41 return the takeup and threading device to initial position and cause the yarn a to be laid in the tortuous path provided by the projections or pins 31 without special attention ontthe part of the operative.

What is claimed is: 1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a series of spindles for holding spools to have yarn wound thereon, means for traversing the yarn lengthwise of the spools, means for supporting a series of holders provided with yarn to be wound on of guides for directing the yarn to the bob-- bins or spools, a source of yarn or thread supply, means for moving the series of guides and source of yarn supply to traverse ,the yarn longitudinally of the bobbins or spools and maintain the yarn between the 4 source of supply and bobbins or spools of substantially the same length during the traverse movement between the ends of the bobbins or spools, and tension .means between the source of supply and bobbins or spools.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination ofspindles for rotating bobbins or spools, means for guidingthe yarn or thread from a source of supply to 9 the bobbins or spools and traversing it longitudinally of the bobbins or spools, and means for maintaining the length of the yarn or thread between the source of supply and the bobbins or spools substantially unchangeable during the traversing'movement of the guiding means between the ends of the bobbins or spools. s 4. In a machine of the character described, the combination of spindles for rotating bobbins or spools, means for guiding the varnor thread from a source "of supply to the bobbins or spools andtraversing it longitudinally of the bobbins or spools, means for maintaining the length of'the yarn or thread between the source of supply and the bobbins or spools substantially unchangeable during the traversing movement of the guiding means between the ends of the bobbins or spools, and tension means acting upon theyarn or thread between the source .of supply and the bobbins or spools.

5. In a machine of the character described,

, the combination of a series of rotating spindles for holding bobbins or spools, a series of guides for yarn or thread, means for traversing the series of guides longitudinally of v the bobbins or spools, means adapted to support a series of holders for. yarn or thread to be wound upon the bobbins or spools and mounted .for movement longitudinally of 88 thebobbins or spools with the yarn guides that the length of yarn between the holders and bobbins or spools may remain substantially the same during the traverse movement of the guides. V 6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a series ,of rotating spin dles for holding bobbins orspools, a series 1 of guides for yarn or thread, means for traversing the series of guides longitudinally of 96 the bobbins or spools, means adapted to sup port a series of holders for yarn or thread to be wound upon the bobbins or spools and mounted for movement longitudinally of the bobbins or. spools with the yarn guided that the length of yarn between the holders and bobbins or spools'may remain substantially the same durin the traverse movement of the guides, an a tension device movable with the holders longitudinally oi the bobbins or spools.

7. Ina machine of the character described, the combination of a rotating spindle forholding a bobbin or spool, traverse mechanism for traversing the yarn or thread lonitudinally of the bobbin or spool as it is wound thereon, a support adapted to carry a holder for yarn or thread to be wounde upon the bobbin or spool and-connected to the traverse mechanism for movement therewith, and an adjustable tension device carried by the traverse mechanism and about which the yarnor thread passes.

8. In a spooler or like machine for winding yarn or thread upon bobbins or spools, the combination of a series of rotating spin dles, a traverse mechanism including a series of guides, a bracket adapted to carry a series of holders for yarn or thread to be wound upon the bobbins or spools and connected to the traverse mechanism for movement therewith to maintain the length of" yarn or thread between the holders and bobbins or spools substantially the same during the traverse movement, and a tension devlce bethread as it is wound upon the bobbins or spools.

9. In a (machine of the character described, the combination of a series of rotating spindles adapted to carry a spools, traverse mechanism including .series of a guides, a support for a series of holders for yarn of thread to be wound upon the bobbins or spools, means for con-' necting the support with the traverse mechanism to cause the holders to move with the traverse mechanism, a tension device between each of the holders and guides, means for connecting the tension devices to the traverse mechanism for movement therewith, and yieldingmeans acting on the yarn or thread through the tension device.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a series of spindles for holding spools, means for traversing the yarn lengthwise of the spools as the yarn is wound thereon, means for supporting a series of holders provided with yarn to be wound upon said spoolsya series of tension drums having a tortuous path for the yarn between the holders and spools, and connections between the traversing means, the holders and tension drums to cause the holders and tension drums to move with the traversing means and maintain the length and tension of the yarn between the holders and spools substantially the same as the yarn is traversed between the ends of the spools and wound thereon.

11. In a machine of'the character described, the combination of a series of spindles for holding spools or yarn receivers, yarn traversing means for traversing the yarn lengthwise of the spools or receivers, a series of holders for yarn to be wound upon said spools, a series of tension drums having oppositely projecting portions about which the yarn passes from the holders to the spools, and connections between the yarn traversing means, the series of holders and drums for moving the holders and drums in unison with the traversing means to maintain substantially uniform length and tension of yarn between-the holders and spools as it is wound upon the spools.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a receiving bobbin or spool on whichyarn or thread is to be wound, a traverse mechanism, a source of yarn supply connected to the traverse mechanism for movement therewith, a drum connected for movement with the source of yarn supply and traverse mechanism, a series of oppositely curved deflecting projections extending from the drum and providing a tortuous path for the yarn or thread about the drum, and a yieldingly series of bobbins or mounted takeup acting thread opposite the surface of the drum.

13. In a machine for winding yarn or thread, the combination of a receiving spool on which yarn is to be wound, a source of yarn supply, a traverse mechanism, connections between the yarn supply and traverse mechanismfor causing the yarn supply to move with said mechanism .and maintain an unchanging length of yarn between the supply and receiving spool,'a tension drum having a series of independent deflecting projections curved from said drum in opposite directions, means for securing the drum in fixed position relative to and for movement with the traverse mechanism, yielding means movable with'the traverse mechanism and acting upon the yarn or thread oppo site the surface of the drum, and a stop for determining the extent of movement of the yielding means.

14. In a machine for winding yarn or thread, the combination of a traverse mechanism, a tension drum having a series of independent deflecting projections curved from said drum in opposite directions, means for securing the drum in fixed position relative to and for movement with the traverse mechanism, yiel ing means mov able -with the traverse .mechanism and act- I ing upon the yarn or thread surface of the drum, and varying the action of the 15; In a machine of scribed, the combination of a traverse mechanism, a tension device comprising a drum over which the yarn is passed, means for securing the drum infixed position relative to and for movement with the traverse mechanism, an arm having a yarn or thread engaging portion opposite the'surface of the drum mounted for movement about the drum, and means acting to turn the arm about the drum when it has been manually displaced and engaged with the yarn or thread that the yarn or thread may be laid about the drum. 16. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination of a spindle for holding a spool to have yarn wound thereon, means for traversing the yarn lengthwise of the spool, means for supporting a supply of yarn to be wound on said spool, and means for traversing the supporting means lengthwise of the spool to maintain the length and speed of yarn between the supporting means and spool substantially the same as the yarn is traversed between the ends of the spool and is wound thereon.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ALBERT F. BENTLEY.

.opposite the means for readily yielding means.

upon the yarn or titi the character deion 

